Feelings of the Day: It can be a good experience to be off on your own. It will get you practicing more of the local language and trying out new things. It also builds up more confidence in yourself for future travel. Why not push your limits and stretch your potential.
Full Day’s Events: Being in the centre of town, I now realize I was spoiled while staying on the outer edge of old town Almazan. Starting at 1am, when other bars closed, the people staying at my hostel (and perhaps other new friends) were heard loudly clearing away furniture in the ground level bar for dancing, loud conversation, and cheers of glee.
I spent ten minutes listening to make sure what was going on was not part of something nefarious. Being prepared, I reached over to my nightstand and pulled out my earplugs. Within a minute I was back asleep until morning light made the outer part of my window frame glow. I worked on my travel diary, read, then descended the stairs for my free breakfast.
The bar area was what one would expect after celebratory activities. Off to one side were the morning food items for those staying here: coffee machine, mugs, teabags, jams and butter, utensils, plates, and lots of starchy items. Everything was decent, even the coffee. The pastries and bread provided were filling. I can understand that when the staff have late nights, and renters are on their own, that you want things that last when laid out for hours. After two mugs of coffee, two slices of bread, two pastries, and a few chapters of William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying”, I was ready to head to my room and brush my teeth.
When the RJGM gang were up, I walked over and chatted as G&M had their first breakfast. I was offered and ate some deliciously fresh sourdough bread, made by J, for my second breakfast. They were to head to Medinaceli for a lunch la comida (the big multi-course lunch meal), the same place my wife and I did on our first day. I joined J for quick shopping for fish at Lupa, tonight’s supper, for which I was invited to attend. Once back from that excursion I was on my own, in Almazan.
A nice big walk was called for, to build an appetite for my own comida, so I went through the Arboleda and enjoyed the clouded sun and light breeze. It felt fantastic to stretch my legs in much cooler weather.
Returning back to my residence, to use the washroom and wash my face, I descended intending to see what places had to offer for a la comida. The friendly bartender asked if I wanted to eat lunch here, showed me the menus, and I decided to eat here. I ordered a local cut of steak, with salad. Reading while I waited, when it arrived the bartender apologized as he brought it with fries rather than my salad, and said the salad was coming for no extra charge. The steak was excellent and not something I have eaten in some time. The fries were crispy and not salty. The salad was huge and interesting with the tuna. Overall a grand meal.
I relaxed in my room, catching up and packing my Cotopaxi backpack for tomorrow’s four-night excursion. I then went for a fish supper at RJGM’s place and during the evening we discussed timings and logistics as well as hearing about their magnificent lunch.
At 945pm I wandered back to my place for a good sleep. 7.9km and 23 flights walked.
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